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The Super Bowl: History of America's Greatest Game

This Sunday the New England Patriots will face off the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. It's the Patriots 11th Super Bowl appearance and the Rams first since moving back to Los Angeles from St. Louis 3 years ago.

It seems like every year the Super Bowl sets a new record for the most watched program in the U.S., but how did it become the game that it is?

Log in below to see a photo gallery of how the Super Bowl started and the rise of America's greatest game.

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For a better viewing experience, open the gallery below full screen on your device. Details about the photos are included in the captions.

Note: We incorrectly stated that the 1968 Super Bowl was the "Ice Bowl." This has been removed.

In 1920, a series of meetings resulted in the creation of the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The league consisted of 14 teams, with the Decatur Staleys (now Chicago Bears) and Chicago Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals) the only two teams still remaining. The 1920 inaugural season did not maintain official standings, but the Akron Pros were awarded the APFA championship by virtue of their 8-0-3 record. In 1922, the APFA changed its name to the National Football League (NFL). (pictured: Akron Pros, 1920) Wikimedia Commons

As football became more popular over the next few decades an NFL competitor, the American Football League (AFL), appeared. Three different AFLs were founded between the 30s and 50s, but in 1960 the final and most successful AFL was formed. The first season had 8 teams and by the end of the decade it had cemented itself as a major competitor to the NFL. (pictured: Nov 13, 1960; Los Angeles, CA: Houston Oilers running back Ken Hall (21) returns a kick behind blocking from Charley Tolar (44) and Mike Dukes (30) against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Oliers 24-21.) Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports, US PRESSWIRE

On January 15, 1967 the champions of the AFL (Kansas City) and NFL (Green Bay) went head-to-head in the first Super Bowl. The game was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum and despite tickets selling for about $12, this was the only Super Bowl that didn't sell out. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Jimberg13 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

The Green Bay Packers were the dominating team in the 1960s. Under head coach Vince Lombardi (upper left), they won 5 World Championships (including the first two Super Bowls) during the decade. Lombardi finished his tenure after Super Bowl II in 1968. In the last 16 seconds, Packers' QB Bart Starr (center) scored a touchdown which brought the Packers a 21-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Wikimedia Commons

The AFL and NFL merged in 1970, and became the league that we know today. There was an uneven number of teams between both leagues, so the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to join the ten AFL teams to form the American Football Conference (AFC). The ten remaining NFL teams formed the National Football Conference (NFC). In Super V, the Baltimore Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-13. (pictured: Jan 17, 1971; Miami, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back (30) Dan Reeves carries the ball against the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl.) Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay's dominance didn't last forever, and after the merger three teams became powerhouses in the 70s. The Miami Dolphins became the first and only team to ever have a perfect season (17-0). In Super Bowl VII, they defeated the Washington Redskins (14-7) and would win the championship again the following year. (pictured: Jan 14, 1973; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback #12 Bob Griese in action against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII at Memorial Coliseum.) Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports, US PRESSWIRE

The Dallas Cowboys were another powerhouse in the 70s. They finished the decade with 105 regular season wins, the most for any team, and won two out of five Super Bowl appearances (VI and XII). (pictured: Jan 15, 1978; New Orleans, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker (59) Joe Rizzo sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback (12) Roger Staubach during Super Bowl XII at the Superdome. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos 27-10.) Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports

In 1974, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted four Hall of Famers (Swann, Lambert, Stallworth and Webster) and set the stage for what it means to be an NFL dynasty. Head coach Chuck Noll won four Super Bowls in just six years (IX, X, XIII, and XIV). (pictured: Jan 20, 1980; Pasadena, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers receiver (88) Lynn Swann is hit by Los Angeles Rams defensive back # 27 Pat Thomas during Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl. Pittsburgh went on and defeated the Rams 31-19 and earn their fourth Super Bowl Championship and their second back to back Super Bowl victory.) Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports

The second NFL dynasty was the San Francisco 49ers. They won five Super Bowl championships between 1981 and 1995 with Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young and head coach Bill Walsh. The 1989 team is considered one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, with the most points scored and widest margin of victory in a Super Bowl (55-10) and winning three playoff games by a combined 100 points. (pictured: Jan 28, 1990; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana (16) reacts on the field against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome.) USA TODAY Sports

In the midst of the 49ers success, one team rose up and became one of the greatest teams in NFL history. The Chicago Bears started the 1985 season with contractual issues and a 1-3 record from the preseason. They would end their season 15-1 and go on to win Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots. The '85 Bears are considered the best defensive team in NFL history and kept their opponents to just an average of 12.4 points per game. (pictured: Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan gets a victory ride after the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX 46-10 at the Superdome.) Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports

In 1996, the Green Bay Packers were led by Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre to their first championship win in almost 30 years. The team had the best offense, defense and special teams in the league that year. They defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI 35-21. The NFC had won the championship 12 years in a row by this point but a new era was about to start. (pictured: Jan 26, 1997; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) in action against New England Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest (55) and linebacker Chris Slade (53) during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome.) Peter Brouillet, USA TODAY Sports

In 2000, the New England Patriots hired Bill Belichick as head coach and drafted QB Tom Brady in the sixth round. Two years later, they would win their first Super Bowl together (XXXVI) and eventually be considered the greatest duo in NFL history, with a 5-3 Super Bowl record by 2018. They will rematch the Los Angeles Rams (formally St. Louis) this year in the Patriots 11th Super Bowl appearance. (pictured: Feb 3, 2002; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in action against the St. Louis Rams during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.) Richard Mackson, US PRESSWIRE

The Patriots went to Super Bowl XLII with an undefeated season. They were about to match the '72 Dolphins, but were denied that feat by what is considered the greatest Super Bowl play of all time. The New York Giants were losing 14-10, and with 1:15 left on the clock QB Eli Manning threw the ball 32 yards to WR David Tyree. Tyree made "the helmet catch" and secured the Giants position that allowed them to score a touchdown and win the game. (pictured: Feb, 3, 2008; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree (85) hauls in a catch to sustain the game winning drive defended by New England Patriots defensive back Rodney Harrison (37) in Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14.) Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports